The impact of defoliation on grain yield has received considerable attention in corn. However defoliation also impacts other economically important agronomic characteristices including stalk quality, maturity, and grain composition. Several studies have shown that defoliation during grain fill can increase stalk rot leading to greater stalk lodging. Leaf defoiation at the V4 stages has been associated with delays in crop maturity and higher grain moisture at harvest. This early season leaf destruction may also reduce plant and ear height. Leaf destruction during early kernel development, which results in severe yiled loss, also alter grain compostion with an increase in protein content and decrease in oil content.